MARCH 20, 1775 – PATRICK HENRY LIBERTY OR DEATH
Representing Hanover County at the Second Virginia Convention in Richmond, Patrick Henry proposed amendments to raise a militia to prepare for British attack:
If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come.
It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!
APRIL 20, 1775 – LORD DUNMORE ORDERS SEIZURE OF GUNPOWDER FROM WILLIAMSBURG MAGAZINE
The day after Lexington and Concord, Virginia’s royal governor, Lord Dunmore, ordered the royal navy to seize the gunpowder stored in the Williamsburg magazine.
Even though the navy successfully loaded their ship with several barrels of gunpowder, their actions were caught by townsfolk who sounded the alarm across the colony.
{{{Header photo from this scene, of royal governor Lord Dunmore and Capt Foy overlooking the crowd planning to storm the palace.}}}
Rising to his position as Speaker of the House of Burgesses for his calming influence, Peyton Randolph pacified the crowd prepared to storm the Governor’s Palace…then attempts negotiations with Lord Dunmore.
APRIL 29, 1775 – NEWS ARRIVES OF LEXINGTON AND CONCORD
When the militia in Fredericksburg received word of Lexington and Concord, they sent Mann Page to alert Williamsburg.
Informed by Peyton Randolph not to march to Williamsburg, Page returned to Fredericksburg with the news.
MAY 3, 1775 COLONEL PATRICK HENRY
As he was leaving Hanover County for Philadelphia to join the Second Continental Congress, Patrick Henry received a message of Williamsburg’s stolen gun powder.
Returning home, on May 2, Henry took command of the Hanover militia and led them to Williamsburg, joined by volunteers from nearby counties.
While Governor Dunmore described the action: all the Appearances of actual War, Patrick Henry was encouraged by several fellow congressional delegates to end the march.
Sending a portion of the militia to the Deputy Collector of the Royal Revenue in Virginia, Patrick Henry requested compensation for the gunpowder.
Meanwhile Henry sent the rest of the militia to Williamsburg.
As the militia neared Williamsburg on May 3, Governor Dunmore ans his family escaped to a British ship docked on the York River.
After Henry received 330 pounds to replace the gunpowder, he left for the Second Continental Congress, where he purposed to deliver the 330 pounds to the Virginia delegates joining him at the congress.
However Governor Dunmore charged Henry with extortion of 330 pounds, on May 6, forbidding anyone to assist Henry.
Nevertheless, Henry found the presence of the militias from several counties protecting him en route to Philadelphia.
JUNE 8, 1775 – DUNMORE FLEES GOVERNOR’S PALACE
Although Lord Dunmore’s family returned to Williamsburg on May 12, continued tensions sparked a fire a month later when another incident at the Magazine prompted Lord Dunmore and his family to again flee to a British warship and declare Virginia rebellious.
